Today, Supreme Court Judges of Germany visited India's Supreme Court.
They wanted to see how lawyers and judges in India work in the top court.
They also told us how judges are appointed in Germany.
They were about six.
At about 11.30, they came and sat in Chief Justice Court.
They watched how arguments are made here and how Supreme Court judges are deciding cases.
Harish Salve, the prominent Senior Advocate, and pMukul Rohtagi ( Attorney General of India) and many other Senior Advocates were arguing cases. I was sitting in a corner seat and was watching their reactions. They looked simple and humble. Air of arrogance was missing in them.
At 1.30 PM, they came in Library room of Supreme Court Bar Association.
There, one of them explained how judges are appointed in Germany.
1) First, law graduates have to pass an examination. Then they start practising as lawyers.
2). Then they have to pass a second tough examination. If they pass this exam, they are called Justices.
3) Then they become eligible to be appointed as judges in lower courts.
4). But before that, they are appointed as Justice-Clerks to assist High Court and Supreme Court Judges.
5) There they work like clerks under High Court and Supreme Court Judges...and there they learn how to judge cases.
6) Then they are appointed as judges in lower court.
7) If they have merit, if they are competitive, they get promotions as High Court Judges.
8) If they work well there, they get chance to be appointed as Judges in Supreme Court.
The process is very competitive up to top to ensure that only best can reach up to Supreme Court Judges.
--------
Well, this is how judges are appointed in Supreme Court and other courts in Germany. Now you can say what do we need to change about appointments of Judges in India.
Haresh Raichura
4/8/2014
